Limited Movement as Rafah Crossing Reopens Between Gaza and Egypt
Few Allowed to Pass Despite Reopening
Only a small number of Palestinians were able to travel through the Rafah border crossing on Monday, as the long-closed gateway between Gaza and Egypt reopened under strict restrictions.
According to officials, just 12 Palestinians entered Gaza, while five medical patients and their escorts were permitted to leave for treatment in Egypt.
Tight Controls Restrict Travel
The reopening was expected to ease pressure on Gaza after more than 18 months of severe military siege. However, Israeli authorities maintained tight security checks and a complex approval process, sharply limiting movement in both directions.
As a result, the number of people allowed to cross fell far below expectations. Israeli officials had earlier said up to 50 people would be allowed to travel each way, but only a fraction received approval.
In addition, authorities prevented goods from moving freely through the crossing, further limiting the impact of the reopening.
Delays Frustrate Families
Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud said the reopening came after long delays and failed to meet public expectations.
“This happened after a very long wait,” Mahmoud said. He explained that many Palestinians expected to cross earlier but faced hours-long delays due to Israeli military security procedures at the crossing.
Families in Gaza had hoped to see dozens of people return from Egypt throughout the day. Instead, Mahmoud said, only a handful managed to cross, leaving many still stranded.
Far Below Promised Numbers
By the end of Monday, only five patients had left Gaza for medical care, while 12 people returned to the territory. These figures highlighted the limited scope of the reopening and underscored ongoing restrictions at Gaza’s southern border.
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